****Official "I hate Luke Joeckel as a prospect" thread****

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

In my eyes? He's a better LT than ANY LT in this class.

Why?

He's not a Top 5 LT.

He's never been within a stone's throw of being All Pro.

That's what Joeckel projects to be. He's not going to be an All Pro, but he'll consistently be the #7 or #8 best LT in the league.

You'd take Branden Albert at #1 overall this year, knowing what you know now.

I'd be willing to take Joeckel for the same reason.

I just wouldn't be very happy about it.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Why?

He's not a Top 5 LT.

He's never been within a stone's throw of being All Pro.

That's what Joeckel projects to be. He's not going to be an All Pro, but he'll consistently be the #7 or #8 best LT in the league.

You'd take Branden Albert at #1 overall this year, knowing what you know now.

I'd be willing to take Joeckel for the same reason.

I just wouldn't be very happy about it.

I don't know man...

He's not even the best tackle on his college team. Matthews, in the few full games I watched of A&M, controlled the point of attack better, showed better power and better awareness at the second level and versus stunts.

Joeckel just seems like a "meh."

He's definitely not a Thomas or Okung. Not even close. He lacks the power and athleticism of those two and that's what makes you a top tackle in the league. I don't think he's as good as Anthony Costanzo, Nate Solder or Matt Kalil.

If you want to know who he reminds me of is another very highly thought of spread system guy that the scouts thought had tons of potential but lack of those elite measurables, athleticism, strength - Jason Smith of the Rams.

Positives: Tall, athletic left tackle prospect. ... Excellent straight-line speed and hustle, getting downfield on screens and long runs. ... Can pull and trap, running smoothly and adjusting to oncoming defenders. ... Moves to the second level quickly, using good angles to keep linebackers out of the play. ... Should work well in zone-blocking schemes with his ability to lock onto defenders and move. ... Gets down quickly to cut block despite his height. ... Adjusts well to outside blitzers. ... Willing to throw his man to the ground and keep him there. ... Has made significant improvement in terms of technique and strength over the past two years at left tackle.

Negatives: Typically operates out of a two-point stance for Baylor. ... Raw in his pass-set technique, standing a bit upright and backpedaling instead of sliding to mirror his man. ... Locks onto his man at first, but eventually loses his balance and grip due to his average upper-body strength and footwork. ... Does not have much of a punch in pass protection. ... Can lose the hands battle on the line. ... Could use a bit more bulk in the lower body to be more effective as a drive blocker. ... Could be moved inside to left guard for a zone-blocking team.

Reads just like Joeckels:

Strengths
Technically-sound left tackle prospect. Plays with good bend and a very wide base in pass protection in spite of his long legs. Moves feet quickly and stays in balance, rarely giving up the edge and pulling off the down block/outside blitz pick-up admirably. Good timing and strength on his punch, possesses good hand placement and will reset them to maintain distance. Recovers quickly if his misses his punch, stays on his man. Gets after his man in the run game, has foot quickness to get correct angle and keeps them moving to sustain the block. Good power step inside to choke off inside spin moves. Capable cut-blocker. Excellent athleticism and foot speed, showing the ability to mirror and stay in front of many talented pass rushers over his three years starting.

Weaknesses
Does not possess elite upper or lower-body strength; only adequate as a drive-blocker and can be pushed back by better defensive ends and shed in the run game. Foot quickness is good, but does not execute the reach block as often as you’d like. Overextends his punch on occasion, vulnerable to a rip move outside or spin inside. Played exclusively in a two-point stance and can get caught playing upright. Due to Manziel’s ability to break the pocket and scramble, did not frequently face pass rushers that challenged him hard upfield.

Their combine results are nearly identical as well.

Joeckel:
40 yard: 5.30
Bench: 27 reps
Vertical: 28.5
Broad: 106.5
3 Cone: 7.4
20 Yard: 4.68

Smith:
40 yard: 5.22
Bench: 33 reps
Vertical: 24.0
Broad: 96.0
3 Cone: 7.53
20 Yard: 4.69

That doesn't scream "Top 10 OT" to me. That speaks of the potential for mediocrity.